2022 - INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ARTISANAL FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

Fishing, one of man’s oldest activities, has changed significantly in recent times on account of technology and the emergence of large fishing companies. However, millions of people all over the world still earn their living as small-scale fishers, fish farmers and fish workers. In recognition of their contribution to meeting the world’s food needs, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2022 the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022). The objective of the celebration is twofold: to focus world attention on the role that these people play in food security, poverty eradication and sustainable natural resource use – thereby increasing global action to support them – and to encourage small-scale producers to join forces and make their voices heard in policy decision-making that affects their lives. Greece takes part in the celebration as a country with an age-long fishing tradition and in view both of the major economic and social importance of small-scale fishing for its local populations and of the activity’s low environmental footprint.